B-type natriuretic peptide is a strong independent predictor of long-term outcome after transcatheter aortic valve implantation.

Background And Aim Of The Study: The aim of this prospective study was to determine the impact of plasma B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) on long-term outcome in patients undergoing transcatheter aortic valve implantation (TAVI).

Methods: TAVI was performed either transfemorally or transaxillary using either the CoreValve prosthesis or Edwards SAPIEN prosthesis in 226 patients with symptomatic severe aortic valve stenosis and at high surgical risk. The examinations included measurements of plasma BNP and echocardiography before and at 30 days after TAVI. The primary study end-point was death from any cause after TAVI; the secondary end-point was defined as cardiovascular death.

Results: During a mean follow up of 728 ± 549 days, 72 patients died; 52 deaths were cardiovascular-related. Those patients who died had higher preprocedural plasma BNP levels compared to those who survived (1,305 ± 1,238 pg/ml versus 716 ± 954 pg/ml; p < 0.001). Plasma BNP was the strongest independent predictor of all-cause mortality (BNP > 475 pg/ml, hazard risk [HR] 3.049; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.804-5.151; p < 0.001) and cardiovascular mortality (BNP > 475 pg/ml, HR 3.479; 95% CI 1.817-6.662; p < 0.001). In surviving patients, plasma BNP levels were decreased by 30 days after TAVI (pre-TAVI 874 ± 1,122 pg/ml; post TAVI 471 ± 569 pg/ml; p < 0.001). A plasma BNP level > 328 pg/ml at 30 days postoperatively was also associated with all-cause mortality (HR 8.125; 95% CI 3.097-21.318; p < 0.001).

Conclusion: In patients undergoing TAVI, plasma BNP is the strongest independent predictor of all-cause mortality and cardiovascular mortality. Plasma BNP levels at 30 days after TAVI may provide prognostic information that should, potentially, lead to a more intensive therapy of these patients.